Kliff Kingsbury has experienced immediate success in his role as the offensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders, and that success may lead to him getting another opportunity as a head coach in the NFL this offseason.
According to a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Media on Sunday, Kingsbury is among the candidates who will be considered for the Chicago Bears’ head coaching vacancy. Rapoport noted that the job “should be a really coveted opening,” which means Kingsbury will face stiff competition if he decides to pursue it.
“I expect them to look at all of the top candidates, with Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn and Mike Vrabel,” Rapoport said during his report. “But here’s an interesting name to watch: Kliff Kingsbury. Of course, he worked with Caleb Williams at USC and is now thriving as OC with the Commanders. He’s certainly one to keep an eye on.”
Kingsbury’s connection to Caleb Williams is a key part of why he may be in the mix for the Bears’ head coaching role. Last year, Kingsbury served as a senior offensive analyst at the University of Southern California (USC), where Williams was the team’s star quarterback. That connection could be attractive to the Bears, especially since Williams is projected to be one of the top picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. The familiarity between Kingsbury and Williams could potentially lead to a seamless transition for the young quarterback, should the Bears end up drafting him.
Kingsbury was reportedly considered for Chicago’s offensive coordinator position before this season, but the Bears ultimately chose to hire Shane Waldron instead. Waldron’s tenure did not go as planned, and he was dismissed by the Bears just before the team decided to part ways with head coach Matt Eberflus.
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With both Waldron and Eberflus gone, the Bears are now in the market for new leadership, and Kingsbury’s name has resurfaced as a potential candidate.
Kingsbury is no stranger to the responsibilities of an NFL head coach. He previously served as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2019 to 2022. During his four-year stint in Arizona, Kingsbury compiled a record of 28-37-1.
While his tenure with the Cardinals had its ups and downs, he did help lead the team to the playoffs in 2021, where they faced the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round.
Despite his mixed record, Kingsbury’s offensive acumen has always been highly regarded, and his ability to work with young quarterbacks makes him an intriguing option for teams looking for a fresh start.
The Bears are coming off a particularly difficult loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, a game that was marred by a disastrous sequence of events in the final moments, ultimately leading to their 23-20 defeat.
The loss was a tipping point for Chicago, resulting in the firing of Eberflus and contributing to the ongoing struggles that have left the team with a 4-8 record.
With the franchise now looking to regroup and move forward, hiring a coach who already has an established relationship with a potential franchise quarterback like Caleb Williams could be an enticing proposition.
The Chicago Bears are one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, and their head coaching job is expected to be one of the most sought-after positions available this offseason. Kingsbury, with his recent success in Washington and his background working with elite college quarterbacks, has positioned himself as a viable candidate.
However, as Rapoport pointed out, Kingsbury will be competing with several other highly qualified individuals, including Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, and former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.
For now, Kingsbury’s focus remains on helping the Commanders finish the season strong, but his name will undoubtedly be mentioned frequently as teams begin their coaching searches.
Whether or not he ends up in Chicago, Kingsbury’s reputation as an innovative offensive mind continues to make him a compelling candidate for any team looking to reshape its identity and build a successful future.
